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Summary of Contents for Test Equipment Plus Signal Hound USB-SA44B
- Page 1 TEST EQUIPMENT PLUS Signal Hound USB-SA44B User Manual...
- Page 2 T E S T E Q U I P M E N T P L U S Signal Hound USB-SA44B User Manual 2010, Test Equipment Plus 35707 NE 86 Phone (360) 263-5006 • Fax (360) 263-5007 Version 2.07A...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
T able of Contents 3.1.5 Measurements Near DANL ....16 3.1.6 Capturing Pulsed or Intermittent Signals 16 PREPARING FOR USE ......1 Viewing Modulation........16 Initial Inspection ..........1 3.2.1 Capturing Pulses in Zero Span ....17 Software Installation ........2 Measuring Channel Power......18 1.2.1 System Requirements......... - Page 4 SPECIFICATIONS........33 Frequency............33 Amplitude (RBW ≤100KHz) ......33 Sweep ..............34 Measuring Receiver ........34 Inputs and Outputs......... 34 Environment ............ 34 Calibration ............35 Adjustments ............. 35 Optional Accessories........35 REVISION HISTORY ....... 36 WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER .... 37 10.1.1 Warranty ..........
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Page 5: Preparing For Use
1 Preparing For Use Unpacking your Signal Hound and Installing Software he The Signal Hound USB-SA44B is a USB-based 1 Hz to 4.4 GHz economy spectrum analyzer and measuring receiver with an RF preamplifier. Using recent innovations in RF technology, the Signal Hound has the sensitivity, accuracy and dynamic range you’d expect in a unit many times its cost. -
Page 6: Software Installation
P R E P A R I N G F O R U S E 1.2 Software Installation The Signal Hound is operated from a Windows® based PC using our application software. 1.2.1 System Requirements The Signal Hound software and drivers are compatible with Windows® operating systems. - Page 7 P R E P A R I N G F O R U S E output to the RF IN SMA input using a BNC cable and BNC-to-SMA adapter. 5. From the GUI, select Utilities SELF TEST. 6. Observe that all self tests pass. If not, see the Troubleshooting section.
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Page 8: Getting Started
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D Chapter 2 Getting Started Learn about the basic functions and features of your Signal Hound Spectrum Analyzer and Measuring Receiver The Signal Hound Graphical User Interface, or GUI, is used to communicate with the Signal Hound, sending commands and receiving data over USB. -
Page 9: The Control Panel
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D REF: Reference level, top left. The reference level is the signal amplitude for the ⇒ top Graticule line. DB/div: Amplitude scale, near top left, in dB per division of the Display Window. ⇒... -
Page 10: Frequency Controls
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D 2.2.1 FREQUENCY CONTROLS CENTER FREQ sets the center frequency of the sweep. When clicked, a ⇒ popup will open, allowing you to enter the frequency using the mouse or keyboard. -
Page 11: Bandwidth Controls
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D by simply clicking on the trace. Fine-tune a marker's placement using your mouse wheel. PEAK moves the marker to the highest amplitude signal on the graticule. ⇒... -
Page 12: Trace Controls
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D AUTO: To reset either RBW or VBW to automatically use the default ⇒ setting, for each span, click AUTO. Video Detector Settings: As the video data is being processed, the ⇒... -
Page 13: Additional Controls
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D VIDEO: In Zero Span mode, the Signal Hound waits for a minimum signal ⇒ amplitude before sweeping. When clicked, a popup opens where the user sets the minimum signal amplitude. This is useful for measuring pulses as short as 10 microseconds. -
Page 14: Settings
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D Split: Selects the split between the graticule and control panel, useful to ⇒ resize or hide the control panel. Color Scheme: Allows you to customize the colors used in the ⇒... -
Page 15: Trace
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D Harmonics Plot: This plots the fundamental through the 5th harmonic ⇒ on a single plot by taking the current center frequency or marker, and capturing trace data at each multiple of the frequency. Phase Noise Plot: This utility takes about 1 minute to run. -
Page 16: Help
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D Harmonics Viewer: Displays the amplitude of the first 5 harmonics of the ⇒ center frequency when checked. It is recommended to have a span of 200 KHz or less before starting the Harmonics Viewer. -
Page 17: The Signal Hound Front & Rear Panels
G E T T I N G S T A R T E D 2.5 The Signal Hound Front & Rear Panels The front panel includes a 50 RF input. Do not exceed +20 dBm or damage may occur. A READY / BUSY LED flashes orange each time a command from the computer is processed. -
Page 18: Taking Measurements
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S Chapter 3 Taking Measurements Learn how to take amplitude, frequency, and modulation measurements with the Signal Hound he Signal Hound is capable of making a wide range of measurements. The internal I/Q demodulator captures up to 2 Megabytes of information each second, with a hardware-limited bandwidth of 250 KHz. -
Page 19: Example: Identify A Signal's Frequency And Amplitude
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S To measure a signal that is not the peak, you may simply move the mouse over the desired signal and left-click to place a marker. The frequency and amplitude are read as before. -
Page 20: Measuring Low Level Signals
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S 2. Turn the marker off if it is currently on. Adjust the settings until your desired signal is displayed, with a span narrow enough for your required accuracy. A 5 to 50 KHz span is ideal for many measurements. -
Page 21: Capturing Pulses In Zero Span
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S 1. Click the ZERO SPAN button. A popup should appear with the Zero Span controls. 2. Select your desired "Resolution Bandwidth." This is equivalent to the intermediate frequency, or IF, Bandwidth. -
Page 22: Measuring Channel Power
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S 3.3 Measuring Channel Power The Utilities menu includes a Channel Power utility. When selected, a popup will appear, requesting channel bandwidth and channel spacing. Channel Bandwidth is the band whose power you wish to measure. -
Page 23: Measuring Harmonics
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S 3.5 Measuring Harmonics A harmonics utility is included for one-click measurements of harmonics. To use this utility, you must span down to 100 KHz or less (narrower spans will give a lower noise floor), center the signal on the graticule, then select Utilities Harmonics Viewer from the Menu. -
Page 24: Using The Measuring Receiver Utility
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S When your measurements are complete, again select Utilities Phase Noise Plot to un-check this utility and resume normal operation. 3.7 Using the Measuring Receiver Utility The measuring receiver utility takes measurements of AM and FM modulation and relative signal level measurements. -
Page 25: The Analyzer Data Window
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S overlapping area, the “Low Power Range” button will become available. Select the low power range to generate a correction for spanning the two gains. Once this correction value is calculated, an asterisk will appear by “Relative Power”... -
Page 26: Emc Measurements
T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S START button was first pressed. It may be reset to 0 dBc by checking or un- checking the Synchronous Level Detector box. o Averaged is the average of the last ten relative power readings AM Modulation readings are taken on the AM modulation envelope after IF and ⇒... - Page 27 T A K I N G M E A S U R E M E N T S on the application. Except for zero span sweeps, the user does not get to explicitly specify sweep time.
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Page 28: Additional Features
A D D I T I O N A L F E A T U R E S Chapter 4 Additional Features Learn about save/recall state, Automation, Live Audio Streaming and Printing he Signal Hound leverages the power and flexibility of your Windows® PC, making printing and automation easy and straightforward. -
Page 29: Listening To Demodulated Audio
A D D I T I O N A L F E A T U R E S 4.1.3 Listening to Demodulated Audio When you identify a modulated signal and wish to listen Figure 4: Audio Listen to the modulation, you may position your marker on the signal in question and select Utilities Audio Listen. -
Page 30: Using Sync Out
A D D I T I O N A L F E A T U R E S 4.1.6 Using Sync Out A 3.3V CMOS output may be used to trigger external equipment. The Sync Out goes high as each sweep begins and remains high until the sweep is complete. . To activate, select Settings SYNC/TRIG SYNC OUT. -
Page 31: Theory Of Operation
T H E O R Y O P E R A T I O N Chapter 5 Theory of Operation Learn about the internal blocks that make up the Signal Hound he Signal Hound is built around a narrow-band IF-to-bits receiver with a maximum bandwidth of 250 KHz. -
Page 32: Reducing Spurious And Residual Responses
T H E O R Y O P E R A T I O N Spans using 6.5 KHz - 250 KHz RBW or VBW: the Signal Hound operates by ⇒ rapidly stepping LO frequencies in 200 KHz steps, covering above and below the center frequency. - Page 33 T H E O R Y O P E R A T I O N wide spans, an additional RBW of 5 MHz is used. This is a typical value. There is no specification for this RBW, but it is typically within 20%.
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Page 34: Troubleshooting
T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G Chapter 6 Troubleshooting If you experience a problem with your Signal Hound, please try these troubleshooting techniques before contacting us: 1) Your Signal Hound Is Not Sweeping Properly Try this first: Close the Signal Hound software. - Page 35 T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G 4) Your phase noise seems too high You may consider using a low phase noise external reference or contacting us about lower phase noise options. Be aware that the Signal Hound phase noise is noticably higher than a YIG-based spectrum analyzer, especially at higher frequencies.
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Page 36: Calibration And Adjustment
C A L I B R A T I O N A N D A D J U S T M E N T Chapter 7 Calibration and Adjustment Contact Test Equipment Plus for more information regarding calibration software and required equipment. -
Page 37: Specifications
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S Chapter 8 Specifications Unless otherwise stated, specifications are valid for an ambient temperature range of 0 to 70°C (or -40 to +85°C for option 1), image rejection on, amplitude of signal applied less than the reference level. -
Page 38: Sweep
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S Relative Accuracy (Reference level ≤0 dBm): ±0.25 dB Maximum Safe Input Level (preamp off, 15 dB atten): +20dBm DC Volts: < ±0.2V absolute maximum Residual Responses (Input terminated, ≤100 KHz span, 0 dB atten): <-80 dBm Note 1: Known residual responses at multiples of 10 MHz ≤... -
Page 39: Calibration
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 8.7 Calibration Test with factory calibration software to verify that USB-SA44B is operating within tolerance. Recommended calibration interval is 1 year at 20°C to 25°C. 8.8 Adjustments Factory adjustment software shall be used to generate new calibration constants when USB-SA44B will not pass calibration. -
Page 40: Revision History
R E V I S I O N H I S T O R Y Chapter 9 Revision History Software Version 2.04 – Initial Release of 2nd Generation software Firmware Version 2.02 – Added support for broadband signal peaking utility Software Version 2.05 –... -
Page 41: Warranty And Disclaimer
Test Equipment Plus shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material. -
Page 42: Exclusive Remedies
Equipment Plus shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort, or any other legal theory. 10.1.5 Certification Test Equipment Plus certifies that, at the time of shipment, this product conformed to its published specifications. 10.1.6 Credit Notice Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
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